Actelion Ltd. (ALIOF.PK) Drug Found Safe and Effective in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension-- But Does It Save Lives?

Macitentan, a new drug for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), appears to be safe and effective, but it is unclear whether it offers any significant advantages over currently available drugs. The drug, a dual endothelin-receptor antagonist, is under development from Actelion as an enhanced version of bosentan (Tracleer). The results of a phase 3 trial, SERAPHIN (Study with an Endothelin Receptor Antagonist in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension to Improve Clinical Outcome), have now been published in the New England Journal of Medicine.